My mother can’t do wool socks. It took her a while to explain this to me. Partly because the first pair I knit her were made from crochet cotton (because I was ignorant and it was cheap and pretty). Those socks may have violated some key principles of received sock knitting wisdom, but eventually she told me that they were her favourites, that she likes that they are short, and that she loves to wear them when she gardens. The more complicated ones I knit from fabulous sock yarns made mostly of wool, she can neither wear nor bear to part with. But I am glad she finally told me so I didn’t have to foist this curious arrangement on her with yet more unwearable pairs!

Quite some time ago I was wondering what might work for her and looking for a wool free sock yarn I had managed to find in the shop on some previous visit. There was no more wool free sock yarn to be had that day in that place. However, I came across this Misti alpaca, cotton and silk blend. I cast on with enthusiasm, and then they sat languishing for months due to concern that I might not have enough yarn to finish them. It is hard to say what it could be about a long period in the naughty corner that might cause more yarn to magically appear in the knitting bag, but apparently hope springs eternal!

These socks came on holiday part finished, and they were completed in double quick time. They have been handed over and now I’ve even had a cheery text from Mum which shows them on her feet. She says they fit, and more importantly, that they are comfy! I am sure a moment after she took that snap, she whipped them off her too-hot feet and set them aside to wait for winter…